Sportsnaut
Who is the best general manager in the NFL? Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is widely regarded as the best GM in the NFL. Looking across the league, it should come as no surprise that some of the best NFL general managers are the architects of several perennial contenders.
Let’s dive into our list of the best NFL general managers right now.
Howie Roseman is the best general manager in the NFL. He built one of the best NFL rosters in the last three years, creating a Super Bowl champion that is well-positioned to remain a contender for the Lombardi Trophy. What really stands out with Roseman is the work he did in the 2024 offseason. Philadelphia came away with two high-end starters on rookie contracts, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, while also adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun. Keep in mind, the Eagles’ 2023 draft class landed four starters – Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Tyler Steen and Kelee Ringo – with some of his previous hits including Cam Jurgens, Milton Williams, Landon Dickerson and Jalen Hurts. He is the best of the best.
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There’s not a general manager in the NFL more aggressive than Les Snead. As the architect behind the Los Angeles Rams‘ success, Smith has orchestrated trades for Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, Matthew Stafford and Marcus Peters. He’s also drafted Aaron Donald, Ernest Jones, Rob Havenstein and Cooper Kupp. What stands out now with Snead is how he’s rebuilt this franchise. Late-round picks like Kyren Williams (164th overall in 2022) and Puka Nacua (177th overall in 2023) provided high-end starts for Sean McVay. Defensively, Snead found Byron Young (77th overall in 2023), Jared Vers (19th overall), Braden Fiske (39th overall) and Kamren Kinchens (99th overall) have turned this unit around. Just outstanding work by Snead.
Hired by the Detroit Lions in 2021, coming from the Les Snead pipeline, Brad Holmes has quickly demonstrated he’s one of the best NFL general managers right now. He’s earned the PFWA Executive of the Year honors in consecutive seasons and for good reason. The Lions’ turnaround from 8-23-1 in the two seasons before Holmes’ arrival (2019-’20) to a 27-7 team over the last two seasons is a credit to both Holmes and Dan Campbell. Detroit’s top decision-maker has drafted All-Pro talent – Penei Sewell, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kerby Joseph and Jahmyr Gibbs – along with Pro Bowl starters in Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta. That’s not even including the brilliant Jared Goff trade and all the quality starters and depth pieces found in the draft. Holmes has built one of the three best rosters in football and he deserves all the credit he’s receiving, if not more.
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Eric DeCosta had big shoes to fill as the Baltimore Ravens general manager in succeeding...
